Adoption Leave

Government-Paid Adoption Leave Scheme

Current provisionThe Government-Paid Adoption Leave scheme, which was introduced in August 2004, provides 4 weeks of leave for an adoptive mother who is employed (employee or self-employed) to care for her adopted newborn child aged 6 months and below if her employer is willing to grant her the leave. The Government will reimburse employers up to 4 weeks of salary, capped at $10,000 (including CPF contributions). The adoptive mother must have fewer than 4 other children to be eligible for Government-Paid Adoption Leave (GPAL)Enhanced schemeFrom 31 October 2008, the child order restriction will be lifted. An adoptive mother will be eligible for 4 weeks of GPAL if she meets all the criteria and her employer is willing to grant her the leave regardless of the number of children she has. From 1 Apr 2010, an eligible adoptive mother who is employed can start consuming the Adoption Leave upon filing her adoption petition to the Court for a Singapore Citizen child, or at the issuance of the In-Principle-Approval (IPA) for the application of a Dependant's Pass for a foreign child, Eligibility criteriaWith effect from 1 Apr 2010, an adoptive mother must satisfy all the following criteria to be eligible for the reimbursement of GPAL :(a) Her adopted child is a Singapore citizen or becomes one within 6 months of the adoption order being granted; (b) Her child is below 12 months of age and the adoptive mother is lawfully married,widowed or divorced at the point of : - Submission of the petition to the Court to commence the legal adoption process (for a child who is a Singapore citizen at the point of birth); or - Issuance of the In-Principle Approval (IPA) for the application for a Dependant’s Pass by MCYS (for a child who is not aSingapore citizen at the point of birth); (c) Her leave is consumed during the period commencing on the day the mother petitions to the Court to commence the legal adoption process (for a child who is a Singapore citizen at the point of birth) or the issuance of the IPA for the application of the DP in respect of the child (for a child who is not a Singapore citizen at the point of birth), as the case may be, and ending on the day the child turns 12 months old. In addition, a self-employed mother must show that she has lost income as a result of not engaging in her trade, business, profession or vocation during the adoption leave period.Commencement of adoption leaveFor a child who is a Singapore citizen - The adoptive mother can apply for GPAL when she peititions to the Court to commence the legal adoption process. For a child who is not a Singapore citizen (born overseas) - The adoptive mother can apply for adoption leave when she is issued with the In-Principle Approval (IPA) for the application of the Dependant’s Pass by MCYS. The adoptive parents would have to obtain Singapore citizenship for the child within 6 months of the Adoption Order being granted.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who is eligible for Government-Paid Adoption Leave (GPAL)?A working mother will be eligible for up to 4 weeks of paid adoption leave if she meets all the criteria below and her employer is willing to grant her the leave:(a) Her adopted child is a Singapore citizen or becomes one within 6 months of the Adoption Order being granted;(b) Her adopted child is below the age of 12 months and she is lawfully married, widowed or divorced at the point of:-(i) Submission of the petition to the Court to commence the legal adoption process (for a child who is a Singapore citizen at the point of birth); or(ii) Issuance of In-Principle Approval of the Dependant’s Pass by MCYS (for a child who is not a Singapore citizen at the point of birth);(c) Her leave is consumed during the period commencing on the day the mother petitions to the Court to commence the legal adoption process (for a child who is a Singapore Citizen at the point of birth) or the issuance of IPA of the DP in respect of the child (who is not a Singapore citizen at the point of birth), as the case may be, and ending on the day the child turns 12 months old.2. If I am a divorcee, will I be entitled to GPAL?Yes, you will be entitled to GPAL if you are lawfully married, widowed or divorced at the point of:(a) Submission of the petition to the Court to commence the legal adoption process (for a child who is a Singapore citizen at the point of birth); or(b) Issuance of In-Principle Approval of the Dependant’s Pass by MCYS (for a child who is not a Singapore citizen at the point of birth)You will also need to meet all the other qualifying criteria.3. If I am a foreigner, will I be entitled to GPAL?Yes, you will be entitled to GPAL if:(a) Your adopted child is a Singapore citizen or becomes one within 6 months of the Adoption Order being granted;(b) Your adopted child is below the age of 12 months and you are lawfully married, widowed or divorced at the point of:-(i) Submission of the petition to the Court to commence the legal adoption process (for a child who is a Singapore citizen at the point of birth); or(ii) Issuance of In-Principle Approval of the Dependant’s Pass by MCYS (for a child who is not a Singapore citizen at the point of birth)4. If I adopt a foreign baby, will I be entitled to GPAL?Yes, you will be entitled to GPAL if your adopted child becomes a Singapore citizen within 6 months of the Adoption Order being granted and you meet all the other qualifying criteria.5. As a self-employed, am I entitled to GPAL?Yes, you will be entitled to GPAL if you have lost income as a result of not engaging in your trade, business, profession or vocation during the adoption leave period and you meet all the other qualifying criteria.6. Will I be entitled to Adoption leave if I am a single?Singles who are never married will not be eligible for the GPAL. However, she will be eligible for GPAL if she is a widow and/or divorcee at the point of:(a) Submission of the petition to the Court to commence the legal adoption process (for a child who is a Singapore citizen at the point of birth); or(b) Issuance of In-Principle Approval of the Dependant’s Pass by MCYS (for a child who is not a Singapore citizen at the point of birth)(c) And she met all the other qualifying criteria.7. What is an Adoption Order?An Adoption Order is a legal document issued by the Court which confers legal parental rights to the adoptive parent(s). Once the Adoption Order is made, you take on all parental rights, duties, obligations and liabilities in relation to the child just as the child was born to you in lawful wedlock, e.g. you will have to maintain the child and look after his physical, mental and social well-being. You will also have the right to make decisions in relation to the child: e.g. education, religion and medical treatment.8. How do I apply for GPAL?You should inform your employer as early as possible, at least one week before you start your adoption leave. You should also reach an agreement with your employer on how and when you intend to take the leave. You have to submit the Declaration Form (Form GAL1) and relevant documents to your employer before commencement of adoption leave.9. When can I start taking GPAL?With effect from 1 April 2010, you can consume the leave (upon your employer’s consent) at the point of:-(a) Petitioning to court for the commencement of the adoption process (for a child who is a Singapore citizen at the point of birth); or(b) Issuance of In-Principle Approval for the Dependant’s Pass by MCYS (for a child who is not a Singapore citizen at the point of birth).10. Can I consume the GPAL flexibly?Yes, you can consume the leave flexibly within 12 months from the child’s date of birth.11. As an employer, how do I pay my employee her salary during the adoption leave?An employee who meets the qualifying conditions for adoption leave should continue to receive salary from her employer throughout her adoption leave as if she had been working without a break. Payment should be made to her on her usual pay day.12. Is the employer required to obtain the Declaration Form from employees?Yes, the employee has to submit the Declaration Form (Form GAL1) with the relevant documents as early as possible to the employer before going on adoption leave. The employer has to verify the employee’s eligibility for the scheme and is required to keep the form and the relevant documents for 3 years.13. What are the documents required for submitting the claim for reimbursement?The following documents with the relevant duly completed form (which can be obtained from our website at http://www.profamilyleave.gov.sg), are required for the assessment and processing of the claim:

If the adopted child is a Singapore citizen at the point of birth -· Court Order for appointment of Guardian-In-Adoption;· Marriage certificate, divorce certificate or death certificate of spouse, whichever is applicable;· Employee's NRIC;· Adoption Order and the Schedule; and· Birth certificate of the childIf the adopted child is not a Singapore citizen at the point of birth -· Dependant's Pass;· Marriage certificate;· Employee's NRIC;· Adoption Order and the Schedule;· Birth certificate of the child; and· Certificate of Singapore citizenship of the child**Date of Singapore citizenship stated on the certificate must be within 6 months from date of Adoption Order.

14. How can the employer seek reimbursement?The employer may claim reimbursement from the Government for the 4 weeks of GPAL after the employee has fully consumed the leave which should be taken within 12 months from the date of birth of the child. The employer can download the relevant form and submit the form together with the supporting documents (as listed in Q13) to CPFB’s address as follows:Central Provident Fund BoardAgency Projects Department79 Robinson RoadCPF BuildingSingapore 06889715. What is the deadline for the submission?The claim must be submitted within 3 months after the last day of the adoption leave taken.